His love affair with classical music began when he was just 5 years old.

His father had an eclectic record collection, and Ward Stare randomly selected a Beethoven album to play. He absolutely absorbed the music, then asked his father for more Beethoven. In second grade, Stare wrote about the composer for his class project.

That early connection with classical music would lead Stare to the Rochester Youth Philharmonic Orchestra at age 11, graduating early from Pittsford Mendon High School to study at the Juilliard School. Eventually he would travel the world, making appearances at Moscow Chamber Orchestra, the Bangkok Symphony and the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin. He also spent four years with the St. Louis Symphony, where he was the resident conductor.

“I am grateful to have lived in such a culturally rich community.”

Ward Stare

Now, the Pittsford native is coming home to head the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. Before a jubilant crowd of musicians and onlookers Tuesday at Rochester City Hall, the RPO named Ward Stare as its new music director. He will open the 2014-2015 season Sept. 18 and 20 in Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre with a special concert featuring guest soloist Midori.

Stare becomes the 12th maestro to assume the position of music director and comes after the turbulent tenure of previous music director Arild Remmereit, who was terminated mid-season in 2012 after two years into his four-year contract. A consultant's report ordered by the board found dysfunction within the organization.

When asked whether there are fences that needed to be mended, Stare noted that he is new and was not a part of what happened in the past.

"The focus is on the future," Stare said.

Stare plans to use modern technology to draw new audiences to the orchestra. There are ways to use social media and apps to engage young audiences, he said. And expanding the breadth of repertoire is another way to reach new audiences.

He also hopes to use his hometown advantage to get people into concerts and plans to make personal visits to local venues. When you know someone personally in a production, it's easier to make that connection, Stare noted.

“He may be 31, but he has accomplished so much.”

Charlie Owens, RPO president

At 31, Stare is the youngest conductor to lead the RPO. His age was not a liability, said RPO president and CEO Charlie Owens.

"He may be 31, but he has accomplished so much," Owens said.

Stare guest-conducted the RPO twice in 2013. After the announcement, RPO principal trombone Mark Kellogg spoke in favor of the selection. Because Stare is a former orchestra player, "he understands what it's like to sit in the chamber," Kellogg said.

Stare began his professional career at the age of 18 when he became principal trombonist for the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Highlights in his young career include being named Musician of the Month by Musical America in November of 2011 and an invitation to participate in the prestigious Allianz Cultural Foundation's 2012 International Conductors' Academy. In one of last year's concerts, Stare presided over the RPO's performances of Beethoven's Symphony No. 7, Mozart's Clarinet Concerto and Wagner's Flying Dutchman overture.

The Stare family is musical: His father, Daniel, a chemical engineer, plays the trombone; his mother, Susan, a teacher, plays the piano. But Ward Stare is the only professional musician in the family. His sister Stephanie is a Monroe County Assistant Public Defender.

Stare, who is single, credits his parents and Rochester itself with helping instill his passion for the arts.

"I am grateful to have lived in such a culturally rich community," Stare said.

He also sees his new job as a way to return the favor, saying that music "has the power to enrich the lives of everyone in the community."

MCHAO@DemocratandChronicle.com

Twitter.com/@MaryChaoStyle

Q and A, Ward plans to move to Rochester, says his parents (Pittsford residents) are very happy #roc